Can't say I have any experience on this matter but from reading posts under the "Anti" topic I get the impression that these frictionless antis do wear out rather quickly. And when they wear out, they GAIN friction (wouldn't make sense otherwise). As far as what causes them to gain friction, the loss of an applied anti-friction layer is as plausible as any other explanation, given we don't have any insider information from the manufacturer. I suppose it should be easy enough to destructively test a sheet by trying to remove this supposed anti-friction layer, but given what this stuff costs... I doubt anyone would sacrifice a sheet "in the interests of science"... I suppose, on the other hand, testing a cut-off piece would be doable...

Iskandar

I have the cleaner from DerMaterialspezialist and that seems to help it stay pretty slick. I've had the same sheet of Storkraft on my blade for probably 4 months now, playing multiple times per week, and it's still very slick.

My experience with older ABS2 sheets is that you should not use cleaner from Der Materialspezialist on that rubber. For me the surface gained grip. Use a clean micro fiber cloth to clean it.

these frictionless antis do wear out rather quickly. And when they wear out, they GAIN friction (wouldn't make sense otherwise).

Dear Friends.

HEREBY, you all kindly invited to answer the questions attached below.

QUESTIONNAIRE.
on Dr. Neubauer ABS-2 ANTI rubbers (soft and hard sponge).

1) Is the sponge a porous material?
2) Is the sponge fragile upon stretching ?
3) Could you see "pockmarks" on rubber surface upon impact. If so, how soon did they go away? Are there some permanent pockmarks to stay for long, (for several minutes and longer?) , how big size? how many ones?

Thanks.

PS// some enlarged pictures of the pockmarks would be most welcomed.

Dear Friends.

HEREBY, you all kindly invited to answer the questions attached below.

QUESTIONNAIRE.
on Dr. Neubauer ABS-2 ANTI rubbers (soft and hard sponge).

1) Is the sponge a porous material?
2) Is the sponge fragile upon stretching ?
3) Could you see "pockmarks" on rubber surface upon impact. If so, how soon did they go away? Are there some permanent pockmarks to stay for long, (for several minutes and longer?) , how big size? how many ones?

Thanks.

PS// some enlarged pictures of the pockmarks would be most welcomed.

Hi Igor,

Nice to meet you! I've just recently joined this forum so go easy on me

I have about 2 years experience playing on/off with ABS2 & ABS2 Soft which likely uses the same dampening sponge as ABS2 EVO. If it is lightish pink in colour than it would be the same.

From reading through the blurbs on https://www.drneubauer.com/ the only difference should be the topsheet formulation, ABS2 EVO being the hardest. From softest to hardest topsheet: ABS2 SOFT > ABS2 > ABS2 EVO.

Interestingly, ABS2 EVO has an option for a 1.8 which the others don't, though not as suitable for me as I use Fanti on OFF/OFF- blades. I go more for the slowest most dampening effect which the thickest versions offer - Red 2.5, only ever used on softer outer ply blades.

1) Is the sponge a porous material?

Yes, very fine but not too noticeable to my eye. The 2.5mm sponges I use are thick though super lightweight at the same time, significantly lighter compared to 52 deg sponges I use on inverted side. I would think there needs to be an element of porousness to keep the weight so low. Have you ever used those rubber cleaning sponges? Maybe halfway though leaning more toward the softer cleaning side though I could be wrong.

I've seen Carsten Neubauer at times answering questions on this forum so maybe he can jump in

2) Is the sponge fragile upon stretching ?

If you mean stretching it by trying to take off your blade, yes it most certainly is. I ruined my first sheet of ABS2 2.5 removing it from my blade no matter how carefully I tried. It was a combination of the very adhesive gluesheet that comes with it and the sponge tearing easily from blade when using force. The topsheet also wrinkled/creased up badly by the end after I knew I couldn't save it. Once you put it on you should not try to remove, unless you allocate an hour or so and have a hairdryer and solid credit card type device to help in slowly lifting it off.

Btw I've never tried stretching it new out of the package though I guess with topsheet & sponge it would have some stretchability like other rubbers. The glue job by Dr Neubauer is really well done, I've never had any topsheet separate or look like separating from the dampening sponge.

3) Could you see "pockmarks" on rubber surface upon impact. If so, how soon did they go away? Are there some permanent pockmarks to stay for long, (for several minutes and longer?) , how big size? how many ones?

For ABS2 & ABS2 Soft, even from the first session it will slowly and permanently degrade, with the outline of pimple geometry becoming more prominent the longer you use it. This happens at a faster rate compared to what occurs with normal inverted.
I don't really attack hard with it, though after 6 months of use, my current topsheet in the middle where I hit the ball mostly, it kind of looks like someone has spilt a clear sugary drink on it and then tried to wipe it off lightly but has dried. This also happens to longer use tacky rubber which my dad uses in red though instead going in the lighter tint direction in comparison. I change my grip when serving pendulum and this area looks pretty good where the sweat seems to keep it looking more like when new. So if taken care of properly, it can be possible to have it looking like new.

In black this would not be an issue, either way it has no impact on performance, it has the same overall slippery-ness across the whole surface even after 6 months use.

Hope this helps